MATCH REPORTs BEES (a) 17 - 53 Nottingham
Sunday 27th September 2009

On a warm but cloudy day down at Nottingham’s Meadow lane, Bees hoped to prove they were worthy of their second tier invitation with a much needed win or at the very least an improved performance.

With Ryan Tomlinson tackling the No. 10 duties the Canadian kicked off before fullback Reece Spee kick started a bright Bees’ opening. From a well organised line-out, which was a Bees’ strength throughout the game, the ball found inside centre Cameron Mitchell who attacked Nottingham’s defence before feeding right wing Simon Hunt on the inside line. Drawing the last man Hunt sent his fullback over with room and time to spare before the winger stepped in to duly convert to put Bees, refreshingly, in front with just three minutes played (0-7).

Mounting Bees pressure and the continuation of some well-threaded plays forced the errors from Nottingham who coughed up two kickable penalties and whilst Hunt offered his services he couldn’t quite capitalise on the opportunities presented.  

A full twenty minutes later, having worked so hard to corral the home side Nottingham finally broke ground and spirits with a horribly damaging ten-minute,  twenty-two point spell.

Outside centre Greg Tonks’ shot at goal followed an earlier unsuccessful attempt but when Bees lock Alex Davidson was marched to the sin bin (for repeated infringements at the breakdown) Tonks stole a lead and with it more as tries from hooker Tom Youngs, flanker Luke Sherriff (both converted by Tonks) and scrum-half Tim Usasz reined in. Half-time: 22-7.

With a comfortable lead now in place Nottingham relaxed and with this comfort came their bonus point try just eight minutes into the second half, No. 8 Chris Eggelshaw more easily than arguably he should have, cutting through Bees defence to position Tonks for an easy conversion (29-7).  

Bees’ replacements Ricky Davies, Shaun Pammenter, Jack Preece and Craig Voisey added some energy to a resilient but mentally tiring Bees side but they were unable to stem the green and white tide as right wing Jack Cobden dashed over in the corner (34-7).

Eggleshaw’s brace, converted by Tonks, turned the screw further but Bees continued to battle bravely and whilst the differential was sadly extended (41-7) it was pleasing at least to see last year’s form finisher, Hunt, register his maiden Championship try of the season with a satisfying distance score, after reacting quickest to a loose ball (41-12).

Nottingham responded with a try from second row forward Calum Green (46-12) before Mitchell hit back for Bees with just injury time remaining, a typical blitzing run just reward for the industrious centres hard work (46-17). Replacement scrum-half Daniel White closed out his side’s successful outing (53-17) whilst Bees could claim little more than a long and unpleasant day at the office for them and their loyal travelling support.

Report contributions thankfully received from Joe Lynes.

To see Bees versus Nottingham match photography click here.

   
     
Action timeline
   
Team  
BEES SCORER
TYPE
TIME
TYPE
OPPOSITION SCORER
SCORE
               
1. Matt Long  
Spee
T
3
    
5-0
2. Ben Phillips  
Hunt
C
3
    
7-0
3. Dan Seal  
30
P
Tonks
7-3
4. Alex Davidson  
35
T
Youngs
7-8
5. Toby Freeman  
35
C
Tonks
7-10
6. Chris Brightwell  
38
T
Sherriff
7-15
7. Rob Connolly  
38
C
Tonks
7-17
8. Russell Earnshaw  
40
T
Usasz
7-22
   
9. Sam Brown  
48
T
Eggleshaw
7-27
10. Ryan Tomlinson  
48
C
Tonks
7-29
11. Mitch Culpin  
55
T
Cobden
7-34
12. Cameron Mitchell  
68
T
Eggleshaw
7-39
13. Tal Selley  
68
C
Tonks
7-41
14. Simon Hunt  
Hunt
T
74
12-41
15. Reece Spee  
79
T
Green
12-46
   
Mitchell
T
80
17-46
16. Leo Halavatau (Earnshaw 75)  
82
T
White
17-51
17. Craig Voisey (Seal 66)  
82
C
Tonks
17-53
18. Ricky Davies (Long 50)  
19. Shaun Pammenter (Davidson 56)              
20. Jack Preece (Phillips 64)              
21. Adam Clayton  
22. Ronnie Mclean (Tomlinson 75)  

END

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